badsmurf (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} badsmurf) wrote,@ 2007-12-12 20:07:00 |
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Bangkok Weather 85, low humidity, 20% chance of coup
Its thats time of the year again, coup season.
For those who need a quick recap, last year in September we had a coup while the Prime Minister was in New York. The rationale was that the PM was about to declare an emergency and take control. The generals who took over didn't really want the job and quickly appointed an interim government with the mandate to have elections in a year. To make sure the old government didn't come back the courts ruled the PM's party (TRT) and 111 members of the party to be guilty of election fraud and disqualified them from office for 5 years.
Unfortunately the plan doesn't seem to be working. The old party reformed as a new party (PPP), and many of those disqualified politicians are having their relatives run in their place. The PPP is now ahead in the polls and could end up the largest block in parliament, if they can convince (read BUY) one or two smaller parties to join them, then they would form the government. It helps that Thaksin is a billionaire and has been funneling money into the PPP.
With elections two weeks away, and the writing on the wall, rumors are spreading about a plan "B"
Plan "B" could be to disqualify the PPP party in the next week or two; or postpone things; or it could involve annulling the election if they win. As I said these are rumors, but doesn't mean it won't happen. Its going to be an interesting December here in Thailand.
Its thats time of the year again, coup season.
For those who need a quick recap, last year in September we had a coup while the Prime Minister was in New York. The rationale was that the PM was about to declare an emergency and take control. The generals who took over didn't really want the job and quickly appointed an interim government with the mandate to have elections in a year. To make sure the old government didn't come back the courts ruled the PM's party (TRT) and 111 members of the party to be guilty of election fraud and disqualified them from office for 5 years.
Unfortunately the plan doesn't seem to be working. The old party reformed as a new party (PPP), and many of those disqualified politicians are having their relatives run in their place. The PPP is now ahead in the polls and could end up the largest block in parliament, if they can convince (read BUY) one or two smaller parties to join them, then they would form the government. It helps that Thaksin is a billionaire and has been funneling money into the PPP.
With elections two weeks away, and the writing on the wall, rumors are spreading about a plan "B"
Plan "B" could be to disqualify the PPP party in the next week or two; or postpone things; or it could involve annulling the election if they win. As I said these are rumors, but doesn't mean it won't happen. Its going to be an interesting December here in Thailand.
